Tag Archives: NIV

When the books of the Bible were first written, they spoke clearly to people in their heart language. There was no gap between hearing God’s Word and understanding it. The translation philosophy of the New International Version (NIV) is to recreate this experience for you in contemporary English.

In 2015 the NIV turns 50 and comes of age. According to Zondervan Academic, “At a special event celebrating this anniversary at the 66th annual meeting of the Evangelical Theological Society, Doug Moo, current chair of the CBT, gave an impassioned presentation and reflection on not only the impact of the NIV, but also the relationship between evangelicals and Bible translations. He also gave some interesting insights into the CBT’s specific translation philosophy and Bible translating more broadly.”

A few years back I had the privilege of sitting in an intensive class of Douglas Moo’s on Romans. It was an incredible week. I found him a good counter to Wright and in fact, I would argue, a better exegete of the text (Wright is a historian). In one of the Q and A sessions Moo fielded questions about the revised NIV. Some folks were angry about the gender inclusive language and some were angry that the NIV wasn’t the ESV. Moo handled every question with grace and honesty. Ironically Moo’s own tradition is Reformed and yet the loudest resistance to the NIV 2011 has come from his own church tradition.

Zondervan Academic have published a few highlights from the above mentioned speech in which Moo explains the heart behind the NIV’s translation philosophy. I haven’t always been an NIV reader, originally I drew on the NKJV and NRSV but over time I found they were not best fit for me. In my mind the NIV is the perfect translation (perfect is related to translation philosophy not how correct it is).

Moo:

A major principle is that “meaning is found not in individual words, as vital as they are, but in larger clusters (phrases, clauses, sentences, discourses)… Words themselves are not the final arbiters of meaning.”

“Translation is not, as many people assume, a matter of word substitution…Translators must first determine the meaning that the clustering of words in the biblical languages convey — and then select a cluster of English words that accurately communicates that meaning to modern listeners and readers.”

Which impacts how we view and understand the doctrine of inspiration: “The fact that translations transfer meaning, not words, makes clear that the doctrine of inspiration does not entail a ‘word-for-word’ translation approach.”

Moo asked the question, “Why do we still find ourselves speaking and writing about the ‘literal’ meaning of words?” He listed 3 reasons:

First is what I call “homiletical expediency.” We want to show off our knowledge.

A second reason for using the word “literal” is simplicity.

Third, it is the way we were taught.

He followed this with some important questions for educators: “Do we effectively teach our students the realities of language? Or do we continue to require our second-year language students to translate ‘word for word,’ perpetuating a simplistic and ultimately quite false view of language?”

As a Pastor the NIV is written in the language of the people I pastor and is therefore most helpful to me as a pastor. Its written in the language I speak and not as if Yoda were speaking it. It doesn’t get everything correct, no translation can, but I find its translation philosophy healthy and helpful whereas others are driven by ideology or a wooden/stoic insistence on ‘literal’. The NIV does well not only because it is published by the world’s largest media group (they publish and market other translations) but because it does what the KJV did in its day; it reflects the language of the day.

Throughout this year I will post more on the NIV but for now, Happy birthday NIV!

Like this:

It seems my post about Bible sales for 2014 from last week was incorrect. Baker Book House listed their top 10 Bible Translations for 2014 and I mistakenly read the figures as nation wide. However, Thom Rainer has the top 10 based on dollars and units sold. According to the units sold the NIV is still number one. According to the Christian Booksellers Association the tope 5 is:

New International Version

The Voice

King James Version

English Standard Version

New King James Version

I am a little surprised that the Voice is #2 and that the Message or NRSV do not show in the list. The NLT is 6th. I am guessing that the CBA don’t include mainline or Catholic bookshops in their figures. I could well be wrong about this though.

On another related note. While the NIV sales outdo any other translations, it seems only 19% of people read it compared to over 50% who reach for the KJV according to a study published on the Christianity Today website! According to the article the KJV is the most most searched translation followed by the NIV and ESV. The Google graphic (below) is what I would imagine Bible sales to reflect had I not seen the list from the CBA with the NIV being first followed by the KJV.

It makes sense that the NIV is the highest selling and the KJV the most widely read and searched. Older folks read the KJV and are less consumer driven. The NIV is still in my mind the best translation followed by the NRSV, CEB, and NLT. Why people reach for the ESV is beyond me but hey, each to their own. :)

Like this:

Just because a translation using gender inclusive language does not mean it is liberal. Some translation decisions are made within the tension of text and audience. But I digress. THIS post comes from Mounce’s blog. Bill Mounce has been a member of the ESV translation committee and is a current member of the CBT (stewards of the NIV translation).

On being asked, “[On your Twitter account] it indicates you are working on the NIV. I thought the NIV was complete. ??? I have used the NIV for a long time. A couple years ago I started using the ESV. But now there is a new NIV. But my wife and one of my grown sons are convinced that the new NIV is evil for some reason. Something about watering down the truth, or trying to be politically correct at the expense of the truth. Could you comment on this?”

Bill Mounce responded, “All Bible translations are constantly being updated. English changes. New research teaches us new things. I can tell you that there is absolutely no watering down to the truth in the NIV. The NIV and ESV have different translation philosophies; and depending on where you are in life and ministry, you may find one more helpful than the other. But on both committees I never for a second saw the slightest urge to be liberal or politically correct. People who make these charges should read what the translators have written elsewhere, and you will see there is not an ounce of truth to the charges.“

I for one appreciate Bill taking the time to respond to this question/accusation and for openness he has displayed. I for one LOVE the NIV 2011. In my opinion it is the perfect balance.

With thanks to Emily Varner of Zondervan for sending me a review copy of the NIV Greek & English New Testament. As you will read in just a moment I am very happy with this bible! From the moment it came out of the box I was impressed by its quality and layout (and for me to be this excited about a hardback bible is saying something!). It is simply beautiful. The cover is ornate without looking tacky and the quality is impressive. I would go so far as to say it was the perfect sermon preparation Bible. It must be noted: This is not an interlinear! The Greek and English texts are side by side which makes it easy to switch between your Greek text and the English translation.

I should be upfront, I love the updated NIV. It is a pleasure to read both privately and from the pulpit on Sunday. For all the hoopla about translation issues (secondary arguments in my opinion) the Committee for Bible Translation have done a fantastic job of putting together a great English translation. I was never a fan of the NIV 84 (the NKJV got me first) but the TNIV was gifted to me at my ordination and I haven’t looked back.

What I like:

Minimal ghosting. You can see a little of the text from the next page but not as much as you might with other Bibles. The paper is thicker than other Bible papers making it great for writing notes. This leads me to the second thing I like…

Layout! I am not exaggerating when I say this Bible may be the best layout of a text I have ever seen. So much so I emailed Emily and asked if any other NIV editions came with this layout! The text itself is clear and crisp and most importantly, well-spaced. Furthermore, although not marketed as a “wide margin” it comes with 20mm either side of the text. In my opinion this is great for note taking.

Throughout the gospels both the NIV and Greek text links to parallel passages in other gospel. There are also a number of notes and textual notes (for the Greek text) at the bottom of the page. Where appropriate, the Greek and English notes line up. Furthermore where the CBT have chosen a different rendering to the UBS (for example 2 Thess 3:6) it is footnoted.

It has an expansive Greek-English dictionary at the rear and I am talking over 150 pages which is really good for a Bible. It is a condensed version of the Mounce Concise Greek-English Dictionary of the New Testament.

What I would have liked to see:

Ribbon markers (two at a minimum). The leather edition comes with two but for whatever reason, and this is common among hardback Bibles, there are no ribbon markers.

An NIV Hebrew & English Old Testament. I am sure this is in the pipeline and it will make for a very nice Bible when the two are put together in one volume as was done with the “A Reader’s Greek and Hebrew” Bible.

Below are a few photos of the Bible. According to Zondervan’s website the Bible also comes in a lovely Duo-Tone edition (with ribbon markers). But please be assured this hardback edition sits comfortably on the shelf with higher end editions I have. I would heartily recommend this bible for pastors and students . In my opinion the layout of the text is its strongest asset Having the Greek text so close and yet not an interlinear means someone like me with not so perfect Greek is still able to look across and recognise a word I may have forgotten or not know without becoming lazy!

If you have any further questions for me please feel free to ask! If you wish to buy this Bible from Amazon you can click HERE to buy through my Amazon Associates program!

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Share this:

Like this:

I have been thoroughly blessed this past week to receive a number of books in the mail. As T.C. Robinson says, “the books we read are an index to who we are.” (BTW, this quote comes from this terrific post about building your library).

Firstly, Zondervan have sent along a copy of the NIV Greek & English New Testament for review. It is a beautiful Bible (I received the Hard cover version. The layout and font are perfect. More on this Bible anon.

Secondly, words cannot describe how much I have been looking forward to the revised edition of David Hansen’s ‘The Art of Pastoring’. The original edition of this books is in my top five all time ministry books. This is no small list either: Peterson, Nouwen and Bonhoeffer make the list!)

Thirdly, and perhaps the most special of all the books I received this past week is from my good friend Dave Black. He sent me a copy of the revised version of his Phd. entitled ‘Paul, Apostle of Weakness’. May I suggest, and those who read Dave’s blog would concur I am sure, that Dave has modeled his entire life on this principle. It is always refreshing when people live out what they beleive. What makes this book even more special is the ovely note Dave write in the front for me. Thank you Dave!

Like this:

If you would like to see some pictures of the brand new NIV Study Bible you can view 5 or so HERE at the NIVBible Facebook page. Also, Lois over at Baker Bookhouse Church Connection has a very good review. It seems the notes are only updated to match the updated text. A little disappointing but maybe after all of these years the scholarship stands up. What you will notice first and foremost is the very beautiful colour pictures. The are really amazing! It seems the NIV Study Bible will be a good match for the ESV SB. I hope it is okay I have provided on photo from the NIVBible page but please make sure to check the rest out on the Facebook page. As I have said before, many times, I cannot speak highly enough of this translation!

Like this:

Dan has posted a few thoughts on why he keeps coming back to the NIV2011 and to be honest, I couldn’t agree more. I love it for the same reasons Dan does. I have been doing my Bible reading and journaling on my iPad for the past few weeks using the Logos App which does not have permission to us the NIV2011 (Yet – Apparently they are working on it) and I have really missed it. So much so, I picked up an old fashioned paper copy this morning! It felt heavy! ;)

Share this:

Like this:

LikeLoading...

About Mark Stevens

Mark is pastor of the Happy Valley Church of Christ in Adelaide, South Australia. He holds a Master of Ministry from Tabor College Adelaide. The Parson's Patch is a collection of musings on the pastoral vocation, coffee (humour), gardening and other topics of interest! Mark reviews books for Zondervan, IVP, Kregel Academic and Logos Bible Software.

Endorsement

"I am happy to commend Mark Stevens' fine blog which provides resources and discussion on a panoply of things crucial to Christian ministry in the 21rst century. But quite apart from the resources, Mark evinces a mind for what really matters when it comes to the serious study of God's Word--- highly recommended. "